We are building up a union

Old Poem of the I.C.U.

[ICU: A massive black trade union, which peaked with 100,000 members in 1927, had loosely linked sections in Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe.]

We are building up a union,
With which we hope to save the land
I.C.U. are its initials,
In its ranks we take our stand.

We shall show by workmen's councils
How to banish sweated ills
How to raise the blackman's status
How to conquer strife that kills:

Union means an all-in movement
None outside to scab upon us;
With folded arms we'll stand like statues
Sing our songs but make no rumpus.

That is how we'll win our battles
Make good our claims to rights;
We have no other weapon left us
Brains not Bombs shall win our fight.

Forward then in one big union
All in which we're organised
Solid phalanx undivided,
No more shall we be despised.

I.C.U. spells workers only,
I.C.U. - fraternity
I.C.U. means liberation;
I.C.U. - "Labour holds the key."


	We are building up a union Old Poem of the I.C.U. [ICU: A massive black trade union, which peaked with 100,000 members in 1927, had loosely linked sections in Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe.] We are building up a union, With which we hope to save the land I.C.U. are its initials, In its ranks we take our stand. We shall show by workmen's councils How to banish sweated ills How to raise the blackman's status How to conquer strife that kills: Union means an all-in movement None outside to scab upon us; With folded arms we'll stand like statues Sing our songs but make no rumpus. That is how we'll win our battles Make good our claims to rights; We have no other weapon left us Brains not Bombs shall win our fight. Forward then in one big union All in which we're organised Solid phalanx undivided, No more shall we be despised. I.C.U. spells workers only, I.C.U. - fraternity I.C.U. means liberation; I.C.U. - "Labour holds the key."